Yokohama Tsuzuki: Redefining Urban Living with Nature

Award-winning home design reconnects city dwellers with the sky

Modern urban housing often prioritizes insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency, resulting in homes that are increasingly isolated from their natural surroundings. Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai challenge this prevailing trend with Yokohama Tsuzuki, a project that draws inspiration from the openness and harmony of traditional Japanese homes. By integrating a large central courtyard, the design invites the sky into every room, encouraging residents to reconnect with nature and the changing seasons.

The heart of Yokohama Tsuzuki is its expansive courtyard, the largest permissible by local regulations. This central space is surrounded by all rooms, creating a unified, one-room feeling that maximizes the sense of openness. The sky becomes a constant presence, reflecting seasonal changes and enriching the daily experience. This approach not only enhances spatial flow but also fosters relaxation and vitality, qualities often missing in contemporary urban dwellings.

Technically, the house occupies a site area of 213.98 square meters, with a building area of 85.29 square meters and a total floor area of 160.02 square meters. The flexible layout adapts to the evolving needs of its residents, making it suitable for families as they grow and change. The design philosophy is rooted in the traditions of Kyoto’s machiya, where gardens and natural elements were central to daily life, even in crowded cityscapes.

Yokohama Tsuzuki’s realization was not without challenges. The project resisted the prevailing trend of small-scale, mass-market developments, instead focusing on quality and collaboration with renowned architects. Balancing cost constraints with design ideals required resourcefulness and creativity, particularly for properties valued over 100 million yen. The result is a home that stands as a testament to the enduring value of thoughtful, nature-integrated design.

This commitment to excellence has been recognized with the Bronze A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2025. The accolade celebrates designs that blend art, science, and technology to improve quality of life. Yokohama Tsuzuki exemplifies this ethos, offering a blueprint for sustainable, harmonious urban living that honors both tradition and innovation.

As cities continue to grow, projects like Yokohama Tsuzuki serve as a reminder of the importance of reconnecting with nature. By embracing the sky and the rhythms of the seasons, urban homes can once again become sanctuaries that nurture both body and spirit.